The house was falling down for the Celtics until back-to-back wins at Golden State and Sacramento turned things around. They should be able to keep it going against the Lakers, who have collapsed beyond repair.
The two sides will gather on Saturday at the Staples Center in what was supposed to be marquee matchup but now it’s expected to be a one-sided affair.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 9 Mar 3:53pm | BOS | -6 -115 | O +222.5 -110 |
| Closing 9 Mar 10:13pm | BOS | -6.5 -110 | O +222 -110 |
The Celtics 40-26 overall and 33-32-1 against the spread. They are 3-1-1 ATS in their last five road games versus an opponent with a winning home record. The Celtics are also 5-2-1 ATS in their last eight versus an opponent with a losing overall record.
Most of the season-long Lakers trends don’t apply here is the team has been nosediving. They are 2-8 over the past 10 games, covering just twice in that span. They are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 home games and they are 6-20-1 in their last 27 versus Eastern Conference teams. That’s not encouraging at all.
Boston Celtics
The Celtics were dazed, confused, and looking for answers after a series of very bad losses. They lost four games in a row and five of six, including shortcomings against the lowly Chicago Bulls. Going on a West Coast road trip that started with a visit to Golden State was supposed to compound their problems but it somehow did the opposite.
The key has been Gordon Hayward, who looked a lot more like the player the Celtics got from the Utah Jazz, before his injury at the start of last season. He had 30 points and seven rebounds against Golden State and followed that up by hitting the game-winning shot at Sacramento the next night.
In this spot, the Celtics just need to show up. The Lakers have quit. They’re set to fire their head coach and make major changes. The latest news suggests that LeBron James will be on a minutes restriction. As long as the Celtics are not half asleep, they’ll win and cover.
Los Angeles Lakers
It’s gone from bad, to worse, to pathetic for the Lakers. They have lost four in a row, six of seven and 10 of 13. They were 25-21 on January 18 but have won just five games in the month and a half since then.
Of course, LeBron James trying to trade away his young teammates for Anthony Davis soured the mood in the locker room. Even beyond that, the team has lacked cohesion and an identity all season. And they’re playing with Lonzo Ball, who might not comeback this season. Ball helped the team significantly with ball movement and defense.
The Lakers are several games behind the eighth-place team in the Western Conference but the team has just announced that James will be on a 32-minutes-per-game limit, basically an acknowledgment that the team is throwing in the towel on the season. That’s just announcing what we already know.
The Lakers stunned the Celtics in Boston on February 7th. That’s one of their few quality wins they’ve had in months. The Celtics will be looking for revenge this time around, though.
Injuries
Aron Baynes (C)
Guerschon Yabusele (PF)
Al Horford (C)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Aron Baynes (C)
Jaylen Brown (SG)
Gordon Hayward (SF)
Al Horford (C)
Marcus Morris (PF)
Daniel Theis (PF)
Lance Stephenson (SG)
Rajon Rondo (PG)
Tyson Chandler (C)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
Tyson Chandler (C)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
Mike Muscala (PF)
Josh Hart (SG)
Josh Hart (SG)
Injuries
| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aron Baynes (C) | Prob Tues | Ankle - 28 / 04 / 19 | 2-3 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Baynes sprained his left ankle, but it is expected he will play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks. |
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| Guerschon Yabusele (PF) | Ques Sun | Back - 20 / 04 / 19 | 3-3 | 3-4 | + - |
|
Yabusele is dealing with lower-back soreness and it is uncertain if he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Bucks. |
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| Al Horford (C) | Prob Wed | Illness - 17 / 04 / 19 | 4-3 | 3-5 | + - |
|
Horford is battling an illness but is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Sun | Back - 13 / 04 / 19 | 5-3 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Brown is experiencing lower-back spasms but is expected to take the court against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Aron Baynes (C) | Ques Sun | Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Baynes sat out the last game with left ankle soreness and it has yet to be determined if he will play against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Jaylen Brown (SG) | Prob Tues | Back - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Brown is expected to participate in Tuesday's clash with the Wizards despite lower-back spasms. |
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| Gordon Hayward (SF) | Prob Sun | Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Hayward missed the previous game with soreness in his left ankle but it is likely he will take part in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers. |
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| Al Horford (C) | Prob Sun | Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Horford was unavailable for the last game due to soreness in his left knee but it is expected he will take the court against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Marcus Morris (PF) | Ques Sun | Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Morris was held out of the previous game with a right patellar tendinopathy and it is uncertain if he will be available against the Pacers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round. |
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| Daniel Theis (PF) | Prob Tues | Foot - 08 / 04 / 19 | 5-4 | 5-5 | + - |
|
Theis is saddled with right foot soreness but it is expected he will face the Wizards on Tuesday. |
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| player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lance Stephenson (SG) | Ques Tues | Foot - 09 / 04 / 19 | 1-0 | 1-0 | + - |
|
Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. |
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| Rajon Rondo (PG) | Out Tues | Rest - 08 / 04 / 19 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested. |
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| Tyson Chandler (C) | Out Tues | Rest - 08 / 04 / 19 | 2-0 | 2-0 | + - |
|
Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest. |
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| Reggie Bullock (SG) | Ques Tues | Neck - 04 / 04 / 19 | 2-2 | 2-2 | + - |
|
Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers. |
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| Reggie Bullock (SG) | Prob Tues | Foot - 01 / 04 / 19 | 3-2 | 3-2 | + - |
|
Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot. |
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| Tyson Chandler (C) | Ques Tues | Flu - 26 / 03 / 19 | 7-2 | 4-5 | + - |
|
Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday. |
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| Reggie Bullock (SG) | Prob Sun | Foot - 24 / 03 / 19 | 7-3 | 4-6 | + - |
|
Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans. |
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| Mike Muscala (PF) | Prob Fri | Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19 | 7-4 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets. |
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| Josh Hart (SG) | out for season | Knee - 21 / 03 / 19 | 7-4 | 4-7 | + - |
|
Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season. |
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| Josh Hart (SG) | Prob Tues | Knee - 18 / 03 / 19 | 7-5 | 5-7 | + - |
|
Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday. |
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Celtics vs. Lakers Prediction
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Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 9 Mar 3:53pm BOS -6 -115 O +222.5 -110 Closing 9 Mar 10:13pm BOS -6.5 -110 O +222 -110 -
Injuries
Aron Baynes (C)
Prob Tues Ankle - 28 / 04 / 19Guerschon Yabusele (PF)
Ques Sun Back - 20 / 04 / 19Al Horford (C)
Prob Wed Illness - 17 / 04 / 19Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Sun Back - 13 / 04 / 19Aron Baynes (C)
Ques Sun Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19Jaylen Brown (SG)
Prob Tues Back - 08 / 04 / 19Gordon Hayward (SF)
Prob Sun Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19Al Horford (C)
Prob Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 19Marcus Morris (PF)
Ques Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 19Daniel Theis (PF)
Prob Tues Foot - 08 / 04 / 19Lance Stephenson (SG)
Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19Rajon Rondo (PG)
Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19Tyson Chandler (C)
Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19Reggie Bullock (SG)
Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19Reggie Bullock (SG)
Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19Tyson Chandler (C)
Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19Reggie Bullock (SG)
Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19Mike Muscala (PF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19Josh Hart (SG)
out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19Josh Hart (SG)
Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Aron Baynes (C) Prob Tues Ankle - 28 / 04 / 19 2-3 3-2 + - Baynes sprained his left ankle, but it is expected he will play in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round versus the Bucks.
Guerschon Yabusele (PF) Ques Sun Back - 20 / 04 / 19 3-3 3-4 + - Yabusele is dealing with lower-back soreness and it is uncertain if he will be available for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference second round against the Bucks.
Al Horford (C) Prob Wed Illness - 17 / 04 / 19 4-3 3-5 + - Horford is battling an illness but is expected to be available for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Sun Back - 13 / 04 / 19 5-3 4-5 + - Brown is experiencing lower-back spasms but is expected to take the court against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Aron Baynes (C) Ques Sun Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Baynes sat out the last game with left ankle soreness and it has yet to be determined if he will play against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Jaylen Brown (SG) Prob Tues Back - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Brown is expected to participate in Tuesday's clash with the Wizards despite lower-back spasms.
Gordon Hayward (SF) Prob Sun Ankle - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Hayward missed the previous game with soreness in his left ankle but it is likely he will take part in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round against the Pacers.
Al Horford (C) Prob Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Horford was unavailable for the last game due to soreness in his left knee but it is expected he will take the court against the Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Marcus Morris (PF) Ques Sun Knee - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Morris was held out of the previous game with a right patellar tendinopathy and it is uncertain if he will be available against the Pacers for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference first round.
Daniel Theis (PF) Prob Tues Foot - 08 / 04 / 19 5-4 5-5 + - Theis is saddled with right foot soreness but it is expected he will face the Wizards on Tuesday.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Lance Stephenson (SG) Ques Tues Foot - 09 / 04 / 19 1-0 1-0 + - Stephenson is battling a sore left foot and it is unclear if he will play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Rajon Rondo (PG) Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19 2-0 2-0 + - Rondo will not participate in Tuesday's game against the Trail Blazers as he is to be rested.
Tyson Chandler (C) Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 19 2-0 2-0 + - Chandler will not play against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday due to a day of rest.
Reggie Bullock (SG) Ques Tues Neck - 04 / 04 / 19 2-2 2-2 + - Bullock has missed the previous three games with neck stiffness and has an unclear status Tuesday against the Trail Blazers.
Reggie Bullock (SG) Prob Tues Foot - 01 / 04 / 19 3-2 3-2 + - Bullock is expected to suit up against the Thunder on Tuesday despite a plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
Tyson Chandler (C) Ques Tues Flu - 26 / 03 / 19 7-2 4-5 + - Chandler has been idle due to flu-like symptoms and it is unclear if he will return against the Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Reggie Bullock (SG) Prob Sun Foot - 24 / 03 / 19 7-3 4-6 + - Bullock has been held out of the previous four games with plantar fasciitis in his right foot but is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Pelicans.
Mike Muscala (PF) Prob Fri Ankle - 22 / 03 / 19 7-4 4-7 + - Muscala has missed the past four games due to tibialis posterior tendonitis in his right ankle but is likely to return Friday against the Hornets.
Josh Hart (SG) out for season Knee - 21 / 03 / 19 7-4 4-7 + - Hart is recovering from a procedure on his right patellar tendon. He will miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
Josh Hart (SG) Prob Tues Knee - 18 / 03 / 19 7-5 5-7 + - Hart is battling right knee tendinitis but is projected to face the Bucks on Tuesday.